Cobra << KOH bruh >> is the name for a number of venomous snakes that can flatten their necks. When cobras become excited or feel threatened, they raise up the front part of their body and flatten the neck by moving the ribs. This flattened neck resembles a hood. By holding their head up in the air, cobras can see better and can use their height to strike at prey or at something threatening them.
Most cobras bite their victims with fangs in the front of the upper jaw. This bite injects venom (poison) into the wound. Cobra fangs cannot deliver venom as effectively as can the fangs of other venomous snakes. Vipers, for example, have longer fangs than those of cobras, and they can fold back their fangs. Cobra fangs cannot be folded back. But cobras often chew an object after they have seized it. This habit helps inject the venom. A cobra bite may cause death within a few hours.
Some species (types) of cobras squirt their venom at the victim’s eyes. These spitting cobras have fangs that are shaped so that they send the poison forward when the snakes tilt back their head. Spitting cobra venom harms human beings only if it gets in their eyes. The venom causes severe irritation and even blindness if not washed out immediately.
Cobras live throughout Africa and in southern and southeastern Asia, including the Philippines. They inhabit a wide variety of environments, and some may even enter houses. Young cobras typically hatch from eggs.
Most cobras eat a variety of animals, including frogs, fishes, lizards, snakes, birds, and various small mammals. Mongooses rank among the most dangerous enemies of cobras. They attack and usually kill the snakes. See Mongoose.
The common Indian cobra of southern Asia grows to nearly 6 feet (2 meters) long on average. Its color ranges from yellowish to black. On the back of its hood, it has a mark resembling a pair of spectacles. People sometimes call this snake the spectacled cobra. The king cobra of southern and southeastern Asia ranks as the longest venomous snake known. It may reach a length of about 18 feet (5.5 meters). King cobras have a narrow hood and a wide range of coloring. Unusual among snakes, these cobras build nests and protect their eggs until they hatch.
Snake charmers typically use cobras because of their hoods and their habit of rearing upright. A snake charmer pretends to charm a cobra with music. But the snake can detect only a limited range of sounds and cannot hear the music. When being “charmed,” the cobra is only holding itself on guard and keeping its eyes on the person. It would do the same thing without the music.
